Proto-Gnosticism

Proto-Gnosticism or pre-Gnosticism refers to movements similar to Gnosticism during the first few centuries of Christianity. Proto-Gnostics did not have the same full-fledged theology of the later Gnostics, but did prefigure some of their views.[1][2] There is, however, some debate regarding the existence of proto-Gnosticism in the first century.[3]

  1. ^ Streett, Daniel R. (2011). They Went Out from Us: The Identity of the Opponents in First John. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-024770-1.
  2. ^ Segal, Alan (2010). Life After Death: A History of the Afterlife in Western Religion. Crown Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-87473-3.
  3. ^ Chester, Stephen J. (2005). Conversion at Corinth: Perspectives on Conversion in Paul's Theology and the Corinthian Church. A&C Black. ISBN 978-0-567-04053-4.